TM Roh Explains Why Trust and Accessibility Are Key to AI Success

AI is now an integral part of many everyday devices, such as smartphones, smart TVs, and home appliances. People today talk more about how AI is becoming more powerful. However, Samsung believes the real success of AI will depend on whether people can trust AI and whether it is accessible to everyone.

The best AI is the one you hardly notice

In a recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, TM Roh, Samsung’s President and CEO, explained that initially, new technologies create hype and gain traction, though over time they fade into the background. This does not mean that technologies become less important. Instead, they become so reliable and useful that people stop talking about them. Roh pointed to Amara’s Law, which says, “we overestimate a technology’s short-term impact and underestimate its long-term effects.”

As of now, AI is in its highly visible stage. However, the real challenge lies in going beyond hype and making it more practical and dependable. According to Roh, what’s important is how AI plays a role in real life by understanding the users’ context. On top of that, it must earn user trust.

AI systems now work on a bunch of personal spaces, including messages, photos, documents, financial information, and health data. So, people must be confident that their data is protected and remain in control. If users feel their privacy might be compromised to benefit from AI, adoption could slow.

Accessibility also plays a big role, so everyone can take advantage of AI. Roh said AI must work for people in different languages while handling dialects, accents, and real-world contexts. Tools such as real-time captions, image descriptions, and simplified summaries are no longer optional features. They make sure everyone can understand and use AI.

Furthermore, Roh said that the best AI often stays in the background, making the experience feel universal for everyone. The executive also pointed out the coming phase of agentic AI, which completes tasks for users, not just gives answers. In related news, a recent survey reveals that most users don’t realize that AI works in the background of their day-to-day tools.